QuickBooks vs Wave: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between QuickBooks and Wave.
QuickBooks
Accounting software for small and medium businesses
From $17.5/mo
No free plan
Wave
Free accounting and invoicing for small businesses
From Free/mo
Free plan available
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $17.5/mo | Free/mo ✓ Cheaper |
| Free plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | paid | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4/5 | 4.4/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Founded | 1983 | 2009 |
QuickBooks: pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Most widely used accounting software
- ✓Strong accountant ecosystem
- ✓Comprehensive features
- ✓Good integrations
Cons
- ✗Can be expensive
- ✗Prices increase after promo period
- ✗Not ideal for non-US businesses
- ✗Payroll costs extra
Wave: pros & cons
Pros
- ✓Core features are free
- ✓No limits on invoices or clients
- ✓Easy to use
- ✓Good for freelancers
Cons
- ✗Payment processing fees
- ✗Less powerful than QuickBooks
- ✗US & Canada focused
- ✗Limited integrations